GRANIT IS ROCK-SOLID

Arteta is a fan, so controversial Swiss star DOES have a future at Gunners

GRANIT XHAKA remarkably still has a future at Arsenal, after new manager Mikel Arteta said he was a fan.

The Swiss midfielder appeared to be on the way out, with Hertha Berlin ready to pay £20million for his services.

The 27-year-old has fought his way back into the team after falling out of favour when he told fans to “f*** off ” against Crystal Palace in October – but his form had not improved.

Xhaka, who played for Borussia Monchengladbach between 2012 and

2016, is keen to return to the Bundisliga – but Arteta is set to put a stop to any potential move.

The Spaniard, who takes charge of his first Gunners game today at Bournemouth, revealed that when he was No.2 to Pep Guardiola at Manchester City they wanted to sign Xhaka (right) in 2016, but missed out to Arsenal.

Arteta (top) said: “When I was going from Arsenal to City to start coaching in 2016 and we were looking in that position, Xhaka was one of the players on my list.

“That is how much I liked him. I was happy when Arsenal signed him because I thought he was going to be a terrific player.

“He has done some really good things and now he has got stuck in a difficult situation that was growing and growing and one day it exploded.

“But I have been amazed by how this relationship is starting to come back and the fans have been very positive about him, as he has.

“It is difficult to change completely the scenario from where he was to a magnificent one. But I think we are in the right direction. I spoke to him and told him how much I like him and what I expect from him. How important he is for the team.

“I am here to help, I want him to feel we are right behind him. Not just myself, but the whole club.

“If we can get the people in the right way as well, the fans with him, it will be helpful for the team.”

Freddie Ljungberg will remain as Arteta’s assistant.

Albert Stuivenberg has been appointed to

Arteta’s backroom staff and Steve

Round will be assistant coach, while Inaki Cana Pavon has joined from Brentford to work with Sal Bibbo as goalkeeping coach.

BOURNEMOUTH captain Simon Francis has warned Arsenal he’s up for another fight today. The defender had to have five stitches in his head after being clattered by Burnley’s Ashley Barnes on Saturday. But he has declared himself fit to play against the Gunners and insists his out-of-form side are in the mood to spoil Mikel Arteta’s first game in charge. Francis said: “We know they will be up for it as you’re going to have players who want to impress the new manager. But we are always up for it. “Of late we have always had the right mentality and mindset to fight.”